From the Beat to the Bookshelf

Dr. James F. Pastor’s Warning About America’s Revolutionary Climate

Here is a recent article about my book published by my publisher, Defiance Press & Publishing… https://defiancepress.com/from-the-beat-to-the-bookshelf-dr-james-f-pastors-warning-about-americas-revolutionary-climate/

The former Chicago police officer turned security expert discusses his controversial book that predicted the cultural upheaval still reshaping America

Dr. James F. Pastor doesn’t mince words when discussing the state of America. The former Chicago tactical police officer, attorney, and public policy expert has spent decades witnessing the intersection of crime, politics, and social upheaval from multiple perspectives. His latest work, You Say You Want a Revolution: A Compelling & Cautionary Tale of What Lies Ahead, serves as both a warning and a roadmap for understanding the forces threatening to tear the country apart.

As the third anniversary of the book’s publication approaches, Pastor often finds himself rereading sections to reconnect with the urgency that drove him to write. “Even now, the book is still not fully appreciated,” he reflects, “as the coming storm has been diverted by the MAGA counter-revolution. Yet, we have still a long way to go…”

A Unique Perspective Born from Experience

Pastor’s journey to becoming an author began in the streets of Chicago, where he served as a tactical police officer in the gang crime unit. There, he witnessed firsthand “how crime and criminal enterprises left wounded lives and much carnage.” Later, as an attorney representing police unions and security firms, he observed what he calls “the business of crime fighting.”

These experiences, combined with his doctorate in Public Policy Analysis, provided the foundation for his writing career, which began in 2002 with The Privatization of Police in America. Remarkably, Pastor defended his doctoral dissertation on September 10, 2001—just one day before the world changed forever.

“The next day, as I say, ‘the world blew up,’” Pastor recalls. “It catapulted an esoteric topic into instant relevance.” The timing proved prophetic, as private security became a critical component of America’s post-9/11 security infrastructure.

The Heart and Soul of Revolution

While Pastor had authored academic books on security and public safety throughout the 2000s, it was the events of 2020 that compelled him to write what he considers his most important work. “COVID and summer of love threatened to turn the world upside down,” he explains. “It was then that I decided to write You Say You Want a Revolution. This book is my ‘heart and soul,’ as I tried to tell a passionate tale of a pending revolution.”

The title came to Pastor organically during his research, drawing from the opening lyric of the Beatles’ 1968 song “Revolution.” Like John Lennon, who sought to convey an anti-war message while discouraging the revolutionary movement of the 1960s, Pastor uses the rhetorical question to challenge those “blindly following ‘leaders’ who, either unwittingly or intentionally, were planting the seeds of a revolution.”

Pastor sees direct parallels between the 1960s and contemporary America, but warns that today’s revolutionary climate operates “in a much larger manner.” His book serves as both historical analysis and urgent contemporary commentary.

The Discipline of Deep Research

Pastor’s approach to writing reflects his legal and academic training. He emphasizes substantive research, factual presentations, and editorial analysis over creative flourishes. “Since I am more technical than creative, it’s sometimes hard to add creative elements,” he admits. “As my subject matter is serious, this may be appropriate, since I don’t want to diminish the impact by being too flamboyant.”

Revolution required a full year of work—six months of research and organization, followed by six months of writing. The book contains nearly 600 references, a testament to Pastor’s commitment to documentation and verification. “Being careful to elicit media sources that have a trustworthy reputation is also critical,” he explains. “Then once culled and vetted, I am careful to cite the research source.”

His writing process is fluid, adapting to his mental state and schedule. “Typically, I would write for 2-4 hours until I hit a natural ‘break point,’” he describes. “There were times I wrote until midnight, and other times I got up at 3:00 am with thoughts that needed to be put on paper.”

Speaking Truth to Power

Pastor acknowledges that his message hasn’t always been welcomed, even among his peers in security and public safety. The “R” word—revolution—has “scared a lot of people away from the message,” and many of his colleagues don’t want to “publicly touch” his work.

Published in 2022 during what Pastor calls “the height of WOKE cancel culture,” the book offers critiques that cut across political lines. “To be clear, my critique of this revolutionary climate is not just one way, so this too is something that many do not want to touch.”

Despite potential professional risks, Pastor felt compelled to speak out. “My overriding desire was to get it off my chest—and conscience. My role was as an informed observer and participant, who was not afraid to speak out against power.”

Success Beyond Sales

For Pastor, success isn’t measured in book sales or literary accolades. “Success is doing the right thing and doing it for the right reasons,” he states. “My subject matter—public safety, security, and the viability of this country—are larger than me. I am just the messenger.”

He views writing as a sacred responsibility: “Your words get ‘cut into stone,’ as the pages may last longer than the author. Indeed, this is historically true, and it’s also a personal responsibility. So, success is making a difference.”

Pastor continues to work as an Expert Witness and Subject Matter Expert on security and public safety matters, with his writing serving as a complement to this professional work. “My hope is that the book hits its peak at the right time,” he says. “I rest knowing that God knows when this will be…”

A Message of Unity

Ultimately, Pastor’s vision of success extends beyond his book to the future of America itself. He hopes the nation can “override those who seek to divide us, and to go forward as our national motto says: E pluribus unum, meaning ‘Out of many, one.’”

In an era of increasing polarization and revolutionary rhetoric, Dr. James Pastor stands as a voice calling for measured analysis over emotional reaction, historical perspective over present passion, and unity over division. His warning about America’s revolutionary climate may be uncomfortable, but for those willing to engage with difficult truths, it offers essential insights for navigating the turbulent times ahead.

Whether his predictions prove accurate or his warnings help prevent the worst outcomes, Pastor has fulfilled his role as he sees it: an informed observer unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths in service of a larger good.